Nigerians need COVID-19 vaccines, Local Trials Unnecessary - Dr Fasunla

Dr. Ayotunde Fasunla has cautioned Nigerians against embracing conspiracy theories over COVID-19 vaccines.

He told NAN that there was no need to conduct local clinical trials that had already been approved by the WHO.

Fasunla is the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Oyo State.

Fasunla warned that local clinical trials, amid the second wave of coronavirus, may do more harm than good to Nigerians.

The medical expert said he was not condemning his colleagues’ opinion on the matter.

“However, my sincere personal opinion is that subjecting the vaccines, whose efficacy and safety have been documented, to local clinical trials will waste precious time needed to save people’s lives.

“These vaccines were developed based on science unless we don’t believe in science anymore. These COVID-19 vaccines have been tested on white and black people, even if they are not Nigerians or Africans.”

Admitting that Nigerians may have subtle genetic differences from people tested, the treatment was developed to target organisms and not humans.

He queried that in the past when vaccines or other medication were created, “did we conduct local clinical trials before they were administered?”

Fasunla dismissed fears that the government would agree to deliberately harm its citizens.